The Nativity of the Virgin Mary

"The Birth of the Virgin Mary"

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Happy birthday dear blessed Mother!

At the time of Mary's birth the whole world was plunged in darkness. The heathen nations were steeped in vice and pride. The Jews too, had corrupted their ways and departed from God. Everywhere there was sin and gloom, scarce any bright spot on the face of the earth. But when Mary was born a light arose amid the darkness: the dawn of the glorious day that was to usher in the Redeemer. So, too, the darkness of the sinner's soul is dispersed by Mary's holy influence. Where the love of her is born in the soul, all becomes full of light, and Jesus comes to make His habitation there. Mary, in the first hour of her life, brought more glory to God than all the Saints of the Old Testament. In her were made perfect the obedience of Abraham, the chastity of Joseph, the patience of Job, the meekness of Moses, the prudence of Josue. It is because she is the model and pattern of these and all other virtues that she can communicate them to us.

Bestow upon Thy servants, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the gift of Thy heavenly grace:  that as the childbearing of the Blessed Virgin was the beginning of our salvation, so the solemn feast of her Nativity may bring us an increase of peace.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth..."

Source:  The New Marian Missal for Daily Mass by Sylvester P. Juergens, S. M.


The Davidic ancestry of Mary